Upcoming events.
Get involved with us!
Regional hubs are member-led, and supported by trustees and volunteers. They run social events and meet-ups for AAC users and their families.
We have some regional hubs for local meet-ups and activities. We’d love to have more - get in touch if you’d like to run a branch!
1Voice South West 1Voice Lakes and Bay 1Voice Yorkshire and North East 1Voice North West 1Voice Beds & Bucks
In 2025, we’re also working on setting up 1Voice Midlands - get in touch if you’d like to know more!
Upcoming Events
1Voice South West Festive Gathering
Come and meet us (AAC users, their supporters, and volunteers - including me, Alison) on Saturday, 13th December, from 2-5.30pm, at Keynsham Library Community Space.
This is a casual, festive meet-up for people who use or are thinking about/working towards using AAC, their families, carers & friends (of any age or support need, regardless of diagnosis).
We'll be in the community space upstairs. There is a lift and a changing places in the library and plenty of space in the rooms we have hired.
What to Expect:
Join us for a relaxed, informal gathering. Come to chat, and if you want to, join in festive games and fun. There will be activities to get involved in if you want to and you can come for as long as you want/ leave when you like.
If you’ve never been to one of our meet-ups before and are unsure what to expect, then do read this:
You'll know you've found us when you spot the 1Voice banner outside the lift.
The library downstairs will be open to the public until 4pm but we have exclusive use of the Community Space upstairs.
I’ll be the one with the black t-shirt that says ‘Trustee’ on the back and ‘1Voice’ and ‘'Alison' on the front. I am the parents of an AAC user and you can see more about me here: https://www.1voice.info/trustees-1
. You will also meet local parent Sydney too.
People come to 1Voice branch events for all kinds of reasons:
-To meet other AAC users - especially our Role Models who are experienced AAC users.
- To chat to other parents and carers and share their knowledge and experiences.
- To ask for advice and support from others with real lived experience.
- To make friends, feel seen and heard.
- To be part of a community.
There’s no pressure to use your AAC, and you are welcome if you don’t have your own AAC system yet. There's no pressure to share anything or join in unless you want to. If you feel a bit nervous or unsure about coming along, or want more information, you can email me (Alison) on alison@1voice.info and we can have a chat about it. We’re really looking forward to seeing you there.
Book your tickets at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/1voice
21.11Parent / Carer's Online Chat
All parents and carers are invited to join us for an informal chat. All welcome. Get in touch at events@1voice.info if you would like the meeting link.
25th Anniversary Online Event
To mark our 25th anniversary we are inviting anybody who has been involved in 1Voice over the years to an online trip down memory lane.
We are delighted that 1Voice continues to thrive thanks to our amazing members, role models, volunteers and trustees, past and present.
This event will be different to our usual online get togethers. There will be several presentations from presenters sharing memories, photos and videos from events over the last quarter of a century! This online event is an opportunity to look back, hear from people and reminisce.
Lakes and Bay Boat Ride
Wednesday 29.10.25 - 1Voice: Free boat ride for AAC Users.
From Lakeside to Bowness, lunch at Lakeside Bar, Bowness
Booking Essential: 1voicelakesandbay@1voice.info
1Voice Yorkshire & Northeast - Artists & AAC
Voice Yorkshire and North East meet up:
Saturday 18.10.25, 2-4pm,
Hepworth Gallery, Wakefield.
Join us for a relaxed, informal AAC gathering. Chat, explore the gallery and garden, and brainstorm exciting ideas for next year! Please book here: https://www.1voice.info/events
11.10.25 - 1Voice AAC Funday - Midlands
West Midlands AAC Funday
Join us for a day of accessible fun and activities at Midlands Arts Centre!
To celebrate our 25th Birthday, 1Voice are celebrating with AAC users around the country.
- Music, accessible activities, meet AAC role models, and meet other families in your community.
Who's Invited?
You are! Don't worry if you're an experienced AAC user, only just starting out, or not using it at all, but would like to find out more. We welcome everybody who's interested in AAC - at any stage of your journey.
We will have two spaces - a busy fun space, and a more relaxed "chill out" space where you can take part in more gentle activities, speak with other families or our volunteers, or just do your own thing.
We will finish with a party and cake to celebrate 1Voice's 25th birthday.
BOOK HERE: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/1voice
Food & Drink
We'll have a buffet lunch available (sandwiches, crisps, salad and fruit), but please let us know if you have any dietary requirements in the booking questionnaire, so we can let the venue know. You can also access the Kiln cafe on-site, where you can buy lunch on the day (10:00-16:00), MAC also have an express coffee kiosk (located under our main staircase) which sells teas, coffees, cakes and sandwiches to go.
* https://macbirmingham.co.uk/food-and-drink
Facilities and Access
Our party is in adjacent spaces on the ground floor, with the option to use the bar and terrace gallery as an additional space until 2 pm. After this time, the bar and terrace gallery open to the public. There is a changing place toilet directly next to these spaces.
Please contact us if you have any particular access needs, or require additional support.
Access: Information:
Transport
Getting here:https://macbirmingham.co.uk/visit/getting-here
Please note that the adjacent car park is managed by Birmingham City Council. Parking charges apply. There is free parking for blue badge holders.
Volunteers
Volunteers will be on hand to support the activities but cannot be responsible for supervising attendees or providing any personal care or support for eating and drinking. Parents, carers and PAs are expected to supervise their young people.
However, we now need your help! Running the national weekends and AAC fundays is always an incredible amount of work, and we're looking for your help to make it happen. Please get in touch if you’d like to volunteer.
19.9.25 - Parent / Carer's Online Chat
All parents and carers are invited to join us for an informal chat. All welcome.
Get in touch at events@1voice.info if you would like the meeting link.
#AAC #AACCommunity #AACUK
8.9.25 - Communication Matters Conference
The Communication Matters International AAC Conference is the UK’s leading annual AAC event.
Over the course of two days, the conference brings together researchers, professionals, suppliers and AAC users, their families and carers for a diverse programme of keynotes, plenaries, presentations, posters and networking opportunities.
Bowling and Banter - Preston
1 voice Lakes and Bay invite you to Bowl and Banter.
Bowl if you want, have a chat and eat - please pay for your own food in the venue.
We have a private room with two bowling lanes.
When: 18th August, 15.00-18.00
Where: The Flower Bowl, Garstang Rd, Preston, PR3 0BT
1Voice East Midlands Summer Meet-Up
1Voice East Midlands
Do you or anybody you know use AAC? Would you like to be part of an AAC community? Find out more about us in a relaxed cafe.
Friday 1.8.25 - 10am-Noon
The Refectory Café Bishop Grosseteste University, Lincoln LN1 3DY
Parent / Carer's Online Chat
All parents and carers are invited to join us for an informal chat. All welcome. Get in touch at events@1voice.info if you would like the meeting link.
1Voice Southwest Fun Day
1Voice Southwest Fun Day
The Treehouse, Bournemouth, BH23 6DT
Saturday 21st June 2025
Join us for a day of accessible fun and activities. To celebrate our 25th Birthday 1Voice are holding parties to celebrate with AAC users around the country.
Parent / Carer's Online Chat
All parents and carers are invited to join us for an informal chat. All welcome. Get in touch at events@1voice.info if you would like the meeting link.
26.4.25 - 1Voice Yorkshire & Northeast Funday
1Voice Yorkshire & NE Fun Day
Hollybank Trust, Mirfield, WF14 0DQ
Saturday 26th April 2025
Join us for a day of accessible fun and activities. To celebrate our 25th Birthday 1Voice are holding parties to celebrate with AAC users around the country.
Get Involved in 1Voice Midlands Events in 2025! (Fri 4-4-25, 2:30PM)
Get Involved in 1Voice Midlands Events in 2025! (Fri 4-4-25, 2:30PM)
Following some initial discussions in February, this is a further opportunity to get involved in our 1Voice Midlands branch, and AAC events/communities in the Midlands, as well as to get involved with 1Voice's birthday events - one of which we'd love to host in the Midlands.
We particularly want to hear from AAC users and their families, so please do share this with your friends, networks, and families you might support.
Parents’ Online Chat
All parents and carers are invited to join us for an informal chat. All welcome. Get in touch if you would like the meeting link.
Get Involved in 1Voice Midlands Events in 2025!
Get Involved in 1Voice Midlands Events in 2025!
Online
Tuesday 25th February 2025 @ 7.30
1Voice – Communicating Together organizes social events for individuals and families who use alternative communication methods (AAC). These events foster community, provide role models, and offer access to regional, national, and online gatherings.
Our members use many ways of communicating: devices like eye-gaze systems, “talkers,” apps, E-Tran frames, partner-assisted scanning, Makaton signs, or paper symbols. Many also have additional needs due to conditions such as autism, stroke, or cerebral palsy, and some use wheelchairs or mobility aids.
This is an opening discussion to discuss our 1Voice Midlands Branch, and AAC events / communities in the Midlands. We'd love for you to get involved.
Please email us if you have any communication or access requirements that you'd like us to know about, or any questions about 1Voice.
South West Branch Get Together
An informal get-together at Bristol Aerospace cafe to chat and meet other AAC users and families. Drop in for as long or as short a time as you fancy. Buy a drink, snack, or lunch from the cafe.
Booking a free ticket means we know how many people to expect and can ask the cafe to reserve a space large enough for the group.
Aerospace has a changing places and plenty of disabled parking. The cafe is free to enter. Anyone who wants to pay to visit the attraction can do so. If visiting the attraction, the carer goes free and the ticket allows repeat visits as often as you like through the year.
Get Involved in 1Voice Midlands Events in 2025!
1Voice – Communicating Together organises social events for individuals and families who use alternative communication methods (AAC). These events foster community, provide role models, and offer access to regional, national, and online gatherings.
Our members use many ways of communicating: devices like eye-gaze systems, “talkers,” apps, E-Tran frames, partner-assisted scanning, Makaton signs, or paper symbols. Many also have additional needs due to conditions such as autism, stroke, or cerebral palsy, and some use wheelchairs or mobility aids.
This is an opening discussion to discuss our 1Voice Midlands Branch, and AAC events / communities in the Midlands. We'd love for you to get involved.
Please email us if you have any communication or access requirements that you'd like us to know about, or any questions about 1Voice.
CENMAC’s Thursday Thirty – Voiceitt: Accessible Speech-to-Text to Meet Students’ Education Goals
Thursday 12 December 2024, 15.30 – 16.00 (GMT)
Voiceitt is speech recognition technology for people with nonstandard speech due to conditions like cerebral palsy or accented English.
In this online session Michael Cash, Product Specialist at Voiceitt will demonstrate Voiceitt’s speak and dictation modes and share how they can empower your students’ engagement in their classroom and beyond with additional features like the Voiceitt Chrome Extension and Zoom integration.
8th December 2024 - 1Voice Christmas Party (Online)
Join us for our virtual Christmas party on Sunday 8th December, 2-4pm. We’ve got a message from Santa, AAC activities, and a round-up of the year.
Whether you want to share or just listen, you’re welcome to join. We’d love to meet new parents! 💛
Email 1Voice-admin@1voice.info for the meeting link.
CENMAC’s Thursday Thirty – Inspiration 11: a lifetime tool for users with neuro differences or cognitive challenges
Thursday 5 December 2024, 15.30 – 16.00 (GMT)
Inspiration 11 is used to create a variety of visual diagrams, maps, outlines, presentations and more. Combining visual and verbal cues, the software allows students to create highly customisable diagrams that help with creativity, engagement, and memory retention.
This is particularly effective for users with neuro-differences or cognitive challenges, where Inspiration 11 often becomes a lifelong tool they depend on in education, the workplace and personally.
Join Ruby Pettifer to learn all you need to know about this simple but powerful visual thinking tool.
CENMAC’s Thursday Thirty – Supporting AAC to reflect Language and Culture in schools
Thursday 28 November 2024, 15.30 – 16.00 (GMT)
Join this session with David Banes from Global Symbols and explore some of the key issues to consider when developing and using pictorial symbols that reflect the languages and cultures within your school.
All schools can benefit from the free and open resources available at GlobalSymbols.com. In this session we also introduce the brand new SymbolBuilder to be launched in early 2025, harnessing generative AI to develop and edit symbols.
CENMAC’s Thursday Thirty – Using CMPSR® and Arrownotes in SEN settings
Thursday 21 November 2024, 15.30 – 16.00 (GMT)
Join Si Tew from Digit Learning and explore Digit Music’s technology and content, showing how it can be used to deliver engaging music sessions and create an inclusive music ensemble in SEN settings.
CMPSR® is the gaming-style music-making instrument that puts the play back into playing. Like a piano/keyboard but much easier. Move the joystick to play notes, chord progressions, control FX, and more.
Arrownotes is Digit Music’s revolutionary new musical notation system that teams up perfectly with our beautiful digital instrument, CMPSR®.
1Voice Volunteering Meeting - November
Want to gain great experience in the world of AAC and network with like-minded folks in this amazing community of individuals?
There’s a range of ways to volunteer for 1Voice. You can commit to as much or as little as you wish. Join our last online volunteer meetings of the year:
17 November, at 3pm
CENMAC’s Thursday Thirty – Symbol Support from SEN to Mainstream
Thursday 14 November 2024, 15.30 – 16.00 (GMT)
Communication symbols are rarely used in mainstream teaching, yet they are ubiquitous in specialist classes.
A typical mainstream class has two to three children who struggle with communication. Symbols can make a huge amount of difference to their experience, however, adding symbols to lesson materials is time consuming.
Lakes & Bay Boat Trip
Wednesday 30th October
Join us for a 1Voice trip on the Lake and lunch in Bowness.
Limited free places available - so booking is essential.
